Key facts
- Three firefighters were killed and two injured in a burnover incident while battling wildfires on the Utah-Colorado border.
- The incident occurred during a joint response to the Knowles and Gore fires, which merged to form the Snyder Mesa fire.
- The Snyder Mesa fire has consumed approximately 28,000 acres and remains 0% contained.
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard.
- Utah Governor Spencer Cox banned fireworks due to severe fire conditions and historic drought.
Three firefighters were killed and two others were injured while responding to wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border, the US Wildland Fire Service announced Sunday. The agency stated the firefighters were involved in a joint response to the Knowles and Gore fires when they were overwhelmed by flames in a "burnover incident." These fires have since merged with others to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which has consumed approximately 28,000 acres and remains 0% contained. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency and authorized the deployment of the National Guard to assist. Utah Governor Spencer Cox also declared a state of emergency and banned fireworks ahead of the July 4th holiday due to severe fire conditions, historic drought, and record-low snowpack. Wildfire activity has increased across the western US, with nearly 3 million acres burned nationwide this year, exceeding the 10-year average. Officials note that extreme weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change, are contributing to the growing wildfire threat.